Effect of particle geometry on phase transitions in two-dimensional liquid crystals

Using a version of density-functional theory which combines Onsager approximation and fundamental-measure theory for spatially nonuniform phases, we have studied the phase diagram of freely rotating hard rectangles and hard discorectangles. We find profound differences in the phase behavior of these models, which can be attributed to their different packing properties. Interestingly, bimodal orientational distribution functions are found in the nematic phase of hard rectangles, which cause a certain degree of biaxial order, albeit metastable with respect to spatially ordered phases. This feature is absent in discorectangles, which always show unimodal behavior. This result may be relevant in the light of recent experimental results which have confirmed the existence of biaxial phases. We expect that some perturbation of the particle shapes (either a certain degree of polydispersity or even bimodal dispersity in the aspect ratios) may actually destabilize spatially ordered phases thereby stabilizing the biaxial phase.     

Electron diffraction studies of the molecular structures of iron(II) chloride and iron(II) bromide. Evidence on the structure of dimeric species Fe2Br4

An expression for the extreme values of mean-square amplitudes of vibrations in polyatomic molecules has been derived which permits estimation of the mean-square amplitude without solving the vibrational problem. This expression can be improved for the stretching and scissoring modes when the assignment of frequencies is known. In turn, the corresponding vibrational frequency may be estimated from the experimental value of the mean-square amplitude. The mean-square amplitudes of the butadiene-1,3 molecule are considered as an example.     

Calculation of cross sections for positron-Ar collisions

The three-body classical trajectory Monte-Carlo (CTMC) method is used to investigate positron-argon atom collisions. The total ionization cross sections are presented along with singly and doubly differential cross sections. The existence of the cusp-like peak in the triply differential electron and positron spectra at positron impact is predicted.     

Investigations of copper,silver and bismuth deposition on palladium in perchloric acid media

Investigations have shown that copper and silver ions deposited at more positive potentials than the Nernst potential—similarly to bismuth ions—are not adsorbed but form alloys with palladium. Similarly, in the case of metal deposition via the ionization of sorbed hydrogen, the same alloys were formed as observed by the potentiostatic method.     

Über die Messung geringer Mengen Radium und Radon

Zusammenfassung Zur Messung geringer²²⁶Radium- und²²²Radongehalte werden auch auf dem Gebiet der Strahlenhygiene verschiedene Verfahren verwendet. Eine zylindrische Szintillationskammer günstigster Abmessungen bietet die Möglichkeit, Personen, die²²⁶Ra inkorporiert haben, ohne vorhergehende Anreicherung des Atem-Radons zu kontrollieren sowie Lebensmittel und andere Proben von niedrigem²²⁶Ra- und²²²Rn-Gehalt zu analysieren.

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Measurement of small amounts of radium and radon

Summary Various procedures employed for the measurement of slight²²⁶radium and²²²radon contents have also been used for the radiation hygiene. A cylindrical scintillation chamber of the most favorable dimensions offers the possibility of checking persons who have incorporated²²⁶Ra, without prior concentration of the breath-radon, and also in the analysis of foods and other samples that contain minute amounts of²²⁶Ra and²²²Ra.

     

Etude théorique du pK des états excités

Résumé On montre à partir de considérations théoriques qu'une molécule conjugée dont un substituant donneur d'électrons est le centre d'acidité doit devenir plus acide quand eile passe de l'état fondamental au premier état électronique excité. Le contraire doit se produire lorsque le substituant est accepteur d'électrons. Enfin une molécule conjugée contenant un hétéroatome centre de basicité doit devenir plus basique au cours de la mÊme transition. On suggère, par ailleurs, une interprétation du fait que dans cette série de molécules le premier état excité triplet possède une force acido-basique très differente de celle du premier état excité singlet.

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Theoretical study on the pK of excited states

From theoretical considerations it is shown, that a conjugated molecule, in which an electron-donator is the center of acidity, the first excited state is more acid than the ground state. If the substituent is an electron-acceptor, then the contrary will happen. If a conjugated molecule has a heteroatom as center of basicity, then the first excited state is more basic than the ground state. Further an interpretation is proposed for the fact, that in this series of molecules the first singlet has an acido-basic force, which is quite different from that of the first triplet.

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Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe theoretischer überlegungen wird gezeigt, da\ ein konjugiertes Molekül, bei dem ein Elektronendonator als Substituent das AciditÄtszentrum ist, im ersten angeregten Zustand saurer ist, als im Grundzustand. Ist der Substituent ein Elektronenacceptor so tritt der entgegengesetzte Effekt ein. Besitzt ein konjugiertes Molekül ein Heteroatom als BasizitÄtszentrum so wird es bei demselben übergang basischer. Darüber hinaus wird eine Interpretation der Tatsache vorgeschlagen, da\ in dieser Reihe von Molekülen der erste Singulett-Zustand eine vom ersten Triplett-Zustand verschiedene SÄure-BasenstÄrke besitzt.

     

Mineral speciation of copper and zinc in flying ash from a thermal power plant

Summary We studied the mineral speciation of Cu, Zn and Hg in fly ash from a large thermal plant burning lignite. By applying various treatments carried out under different conditions and taking into account the solubility and physical properties (boiling and melting point, etc.) and the behaviour towards combustion of the different possible compounds, we concluded that the ash assayed contained 109.6, 114.4 and 14.30 g/g of zinc silicate, zinc oxide and/or zinc sulphide and metal zinc, respectively, as well as 24.5 g/g of copper silicate and 31.2 g/g of a mixture of copper oxide, sulphide and metal. The formation of these compounds in the combustion of lignite is discussed.